1992 Kawasaki Zephyr 1100 from United Kingdom

Summary:

Good

Faults:

When I bought this bike, the rear brake had seized. The clutch actuator seal failed, the bike did not idle that well, and the gearbox did not select as smoothly as I would have liked from 3-2-1 at lower revs.

The fork seals needed replacing and generally the stanchions suffer from pitting.

I have overhauled this bike and posted several pictures, which others may find useful. You can check this out on REDZED.PROBOARDS.COM.

General Comments:

Overall, I love the looks of these bikes, but once they hit 30,000 miles, the exhaust valve guides are likely to need replacing. Great bikes all the same, great Z1 looks, engine power at real road speeds, and the comfort.

1992 Kawasaki Zephyr 1100 from United Kingdom

Summary:

Faults:

Nothing went spectacularly wrong, an irritating indicator bulb that kept blowing was about as bad as it got, and a flat tyre the day I got it, but them's the breaks I guess!

General Comments:

What a gorgeous ped! Comfortable, fast and with loads of roll on acceleration meant no frantic foot bashing through the gears.

The bike felt totally stable and predictable in all but the very worst conditions (ice, no bike is good on ice).

Having no wind shield means that your leathers have to be good, and you do get all the weather and other road stuff thrown your way, but who cares!

The seat is very comfortable, fat and wide, and is low enough that smaller riders aren't on tip toes at the lights.

The biggest snag with the dear old Zephyr 11 is the petrol tank; I've seen egg cups which hold more! The range on a tank of gas is therefore pathetic! A 100 miles if you're lucky! Much less if you use a lot of right fist, which of course you will, 'cos it's GREAT!

The only other gripe is that it has the most tiny weeny rear stop light, bicycles have better rear lights! Not good! I'd have another one, except that they seem to be quite rare, and so bits might be a bit hard to come by; I don't know though.

9th Sep 2010, 11:26

I am a Brit expat living in Japan, and was lucky enough to be able to borrow (and insure for a short time) a Zep 1100 this August in the UK. I concur with your comments... A gorgeous velocipede indeed!

A porky beast, but carries its burden low, which makes it easy to handle at low speeds and on corners. Once moving, the low-mid range torque makes her sit up and go like a bat out of hell. Very impressive goer...

First ride -- got caught in a downpour -- totally soaked, but the old Kwak motor never missed a beat.

Next year, the insurance is half-price (no-claims bonus) -- I'm looking forward to it already!

25th Dec 2010, 08:22

What can I say, I have owned a few big Kwaks. I bought a Zephyr 750. It was OK, then I saw an ad for a Zephyr 1100. Looked good, so I did the deal. Bike was duly delivered, on with my leathers and helmet, and rolled it onto the road. Pressed the button. Those big 4 cylinders growled into life, MMMmm, sounded good. Engaged 1st gear and off open the throttle, and WOW, I ain't stopped grinning yet. 1st gear to take off up through the other 4, then that's it, no more changes required, it just goes on. You can't beat lots of cubic centimeters, and then big Zephyr has lots of em.

My bike, a 1993, colour red, very low genuine mileage 19000. Can't see me needing another bike, sold on it for life.